2017 Honda Ridgeline Gets Official Fuel Economy Numbers

Unibody Pickup Gets V-6–Best Numbers Among Midsizers

The second-generation Honda Ridgeline got some EPA love today in the form of official fuel economy ratings. The new-for-2017 model will get an EPA-estimated 22 combined mpg for the front-wheel-driver, while the all-wheel-drive model will get 21 combined mpg. Two-wheel-drive Ridgelines will also get 19/26 mpg city/highway, with one-mpg drops in both metrics for Ridgelines with all-wheel drive.

Those numbers compare favorably to other V-6–powered midsize pickups. The rear-wheel-drive Chevrolet Colorado V-6 and Toyota Tacoma V-6, for example, will muster 21 combined mpg, while the rear-drive Nissan Frontier V-6 will get up to 18 combined mpg. Of note, no official power ratings for the Ridgeline’s 3.5L V-6 have been released, but expect them to fall close to those of the Pilot, which has 280 hp and 262 lb-ft. Comparatively, the Colorado’s V-6 has 305 hp and 269 lb-ft.

Fuel efficiency won’t be the Ridgeline’s only trump card. Expect a lot of versatility from the carlike pickup. A dual-action tailgate carries over from the previous Ridgeline, giving owners the ability to fold it down conventionally or swing it out from a hinge on the driver’s side. Additionally, the Ridgeline receives its predecessor’s underbed trunk, a weatherproof well that also houses the spare tire. That feature is possible thanks to the Ridgeline’s space-efficient unibody chassis.

However, those expecting huge towing numbers or extreme off-road prowess are going to be somewhat disappointed. With the caveat that Honda hasn’t announced anything official yet, we expect the Ridgeline to have a maximum towing capacity not exceeding 6,000 pounds. And since the Ridgeline is based on the Honda Pilot crossover, we doubt its optional all-wheel-drive system will have a low-range transfer case, hampering off-road frolics somewhat.

Still, Honda isn’t positioning the Ridgeline as the vehicle of choice for construction workers or cattle ranchers. Instead, it’s going after casual pickup owners, those who need a hose-out–friendly bed for occasional dirty work. And that towing capacity is still large enough for a trailer and a few Honda dirtbikes, which could make the Ridgeline an ideal cross between daily driver and family adventurer.